Electrically-heated curling iron



' Jan. 1, 1929.

. 1,696,919 7 E. T. MEEK ELECTRIGALLY HEATED CURLINQ IRON Filed May 51,1927 Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,696,919 :PATENT. OFFICE.

EUQRNE HEEK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'llO WARD MANUFACTURING CO.,'OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COIQPOBATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICALLY-HLATED CURIIING IRON.

Application filed my 31,

This invention relates to improvements in electrically heated curlingirons, and has as its primary object the provision ofa novel curlingiron in which the body and the conductorcords' swivel relative to eachother;

An important object of the invention resides in the provision of new andimproved means for swiveling the cords and the heat? ing element as aunit in the body of the curling iron.

Other objects reside in the provision in a curling iron of the abovecharacter of means for relieving strain on the electrical connections inthe body of the iron, and means for protecting the cords at the outerend of the handle.

A general object of the invention is to provide a novel curling iron ofthe above character which utilizes standard features of construction ofirons in which the cords are fixed, and which is simple and inexpensivein construction.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a curling iron embodying thefeatures ofmy invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the curling iron takenalong line 22 of Fig. 1;

.While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, 1 have shown in the drawings and will hereindescribe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understoodthat I do 'not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specificform disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternativeconstructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claim.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention comprises a suitable handle 5 and a suitable shank 6inserted at one end in one end of the handle. The shank 6 is oftubularform suitable for holding an electric heating elementv 7, and thehandle 5 is formed with an axial bore 8 for the electric leads -to theheating element. Pivotally mounted on the shank 6 is a suitable crimper9 having an operating arm 10 adapted to be depressed by finger pressureto pivot the 1927. Serial no. 195,188.

crimper away from the'shank. A suitable spring 11 is inter-posed betweenthe shank. 6

and the arm .10, and tends to pivot the crimper 9 toward the shank.

The heating element 7 may be of any suitable type suitably insulated,andis loosely disposed in the shank 6. A pair of insulated lead wires 12are electrically con- .nected to the heating element 7 at 13, and

extend therefrom through the shank 6 into the bore 8 of the handle 5.Electrically connected to the lead Wires 12 at 14 in the here 8 are twoelectric cords 15 which are taped together at 16 and which extend out ofthe handle 6 for connection to a suitable source of electric current. V

Means is provided for permitting the body of the curling iron to berotated or swiveled relative to the cords 15 so as to prevent twistingof the cords when hair is wound end of the bore 8 is enlarged at 17thereby providing an annularshoulder 18. Rotat ably seated against theshoulder 18 is a bearing washer 19'which preferably is made ofinsulating material, and which has a central heating element 7 .thewires 12 and the cords against longitudinal displacement in the curlingiron relative to the washer 19. Removably secured in the outer end ofthe enlargement 17 of the bore 8 by means of a set screw 24 threadedlaterally into the enlargement is a plug 25 which preferably is made ofinsulating material, and which abuts against the washer 19 to hold thelatter against the shoulder 18, and thereby to hold the heating element7 rotatably in position in the shank .6. The plug 25is formed with anaxial bore 26 for the cords 15.

-To protect the cords 15 against injury from excessive bending, a coiledwire 27 is disposed thereabout at the point where they leave the handle5. The 'coil of wire 27 extends through the bore 26, and the inner endthereof abuts against the washer 19.

75 around the shank 6. To this end, the outer cords 15 in the handle 5.

To hold the wire-27 against displacement,

the inner end of the bore 26 is flared as shown at 28, and the inner endof the coil is enlarged as'shown at 29.

It will be evident that-I have provided a useful and advantageouscurling iron of which the body can be rotated without twisting theelectric cords. The heating element 7, the lead wires 12 and the cords15 are rotatable as a rnit within the body. The Washer 19 provides a,simple and eflicient bearing means for holding the parts in place. Theconstruction is advantageous in that it provides strain relicf for theelectrical connections at 13 and 14, thereby preventing injury to thelatter through rotation of the The invention utilizes standardconstruction, and in general the construction is simple and inexpensive.

I claim as my invention:

A curlingviron having, in combination, a

handle having an axial bore, said bore being formed with a bearingsurface, a hollow metal shank secured to said, handle,

.a heating element in said shank, a plug having an axial bore in theouter end of said first mentioned bore, electrical cords extendingthrough said bores and connected to said heating element, a narrowbearing Washer encircling said cords and rotatably disposed between saidbearing surface and said plug. the opening of said Washer being flared,a plate having a taper end wedged into said flared opening and havingnotches embracing said cords to hold the latter against slipping, and acoiled wire encircling said cords. in said plug. said last mentionedbore and said Wire coil being flared to retain said wire in position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aifixed my signature.

EUGENE MEEK.

